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Nature Cell Biology 6, 279–281 (1 April 2004) | doi:10.1038/ncb0404-279

Solving the WAVE function

Simone L. Blagg & Robert H. Insall

Cell processes involving movement and changes in shape rely on cycles of actin polymerization and depolymerization. Most notably, the Arp2/3 complex is responsible for nucleating de novo actin filaments at the sides of existing filaments, resulting in a branched array that pushes the leading edge of cells forwards.